Spring units for upholstery foundations



Aug. 19, 1958 A. M. BANK ET AL SPRING um'rs FOR UPHOLSTERY FOUNDATIONS 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 27, 1956 4mm- 1% 8: 14 Alex J'Karz g- 19,19538 A. M. BANK ETAL I 2,848,038

SPRING UNITS FOR UPHO LSTERY FOUNDATIONS Filed June 27. 1956 3Sheets-Sheet 2 A Eer- 9, 1958 A. M. BANK ETAL 2,848,038

' SPRING UNITS FOR UPHOLSTERY FOUNDATIONS Filed June 27, 1956 3Sheets-Sheet 3 1 avg INVENTORS 44859;;- 840k, BY amt K472 2,848,038SPRING UNITS FOR UPHOLSTERY FOUNDATIONS Albert M. Bank, Jersey City, andAlex J. Katz, West Orange, N. J., assignors to Super Sagless SpringCorp, Hoboken, N. 1., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 27,1956, Serial No. 594,295

Claims. (Cl. 155-479) The present invention relates to improvements inzigrag and other spring constructions for the seats and backs ofupholstered chairs, sofas and the like.-

An object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved springunit construction for the uses mentioned, which efiiciently maintainsthe contour of the load-bearing spring surface and avoids hard regionsthereon.

Another object thereof is to provide spring units of the character setforth, of novel and improved construction, adapted for preformingfoundations for spring assemblies for upholstered furniture embodyingthe styles of structure known as pillow back, roll back and tuft back aswell as seat foundations.

A further object thereof is to provide novel and improved spring unitsof the kind described, which are reasonably cheap to manufacture, easyto install, affording economy in use of materials and which is efiicientin carrying out the functions for which they are designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this disclosureproceeds.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, similarcharacters of reference indicate corresponding parts'in all the views.

Fig. l is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment showing a springunit in accordance with the teachings of this invention and forms thebasis of all the embodiments herein set forth.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic, fragmentary, perspective view showing springunits taught herein, constituting the inner spring assemblies for theseat and back of an article of upholstered furniture. The inner springassembly shown used on the back, being adaptable for what is known asthe pillow back style. The inner spring assembly shown used on the seatpart, includes a spring edge for the structure. This may also be used inthe back inner spring assembly.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken at lines 33 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a similar section of the back only, showing a modifiedembodiment.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are sectional views like Fig. 4, but of othermodifications in structure embodying this invention; Fig. 7 beingfragmentary.

In the drawings wherein are shown various forms this invention mayassume, the numeral indicates a spring unit comprising a main springmember 16, the ends of which are anchored in any suitable manner to theframe members 17, 18 of a seat, or to the frame members 19, 26 of theback of an article of upholstered furniture. All omitted to attainclarity of illustration, since this invention concerns itself whollywith the inner spring construction. These main springs 16 as mounted,present convex load-bearing surfaces and are in flexed condition as iswell known in the art. A description of one of the spring units 15 willof course suffice for all.

cushioning and outer covering are nitcd States Patent 2,848,038 PatentedAug. 19, 1958 The numeral 21 designates an acute angled V-shapedauxiliary spring member whose shorter arm 22 is attached in any suitablemanner to the convex surface of the main spring 16. Such attachment isonto a region spaced from an end of such main spring. The longer arm 23of the auxiliary spring, extends as a cantilever towards such end of themain spring. When the cushioning and covering is put on, it is done insuch manner that the cantilever portion 23 is flexed. The springs hereshown are of the zigzag type.

of importance to note is that the region between the assembly clips 24,25, is hard as compared to the remainder of the spring unit 15, but suchhard region is never part of the load-bearing surface of the spring unit15 and is always spaced from the cantilever portion 23. It is evidentthat when a person sits on the seat, the load will be applied to theconvex surface offered by the cantilever 23 and the convex surface ofthe main spring member 16 between the clip 25 and the anchorage 26. Theaction of such load on the main spring member will be to decrease itsconvexity, but the flexing of the cantilever to narrow the V-form 21will cause the existence of a force at point 25 tending to increase theconvexity of the main spring 16 and there also will be a force at point24 acting to decrease the convexity of the main spring portion betweenpoint 25 and the anchorage point 27. This latter action also tends toincrease the convexity of the main spring portion between the points 25and 26. Hence upon ap:

plication of load as aforesaid, all forces resulting from the stressingof the cantilever 23, will act to maintain the convexity of the mainspring 16 as it existed at no load. Further, it is evident that the hardregion between the clips 24, 25, is never a part of the load-bearingsurface. The mode of operation of the spring units 15 of the innerspring assembly of the back member of the article of furniture, isidentical as described as to the seat, except that the load is appliedby the sitter leaning back with weight against the back of the articleof furniture.

The inner spring assemblies for seat and for pillow type back as shownin Figs. 2 and 3, may include the rods 29, 30 associated with the freeends of the cantilever positions 23, to serve as the spring edge in suchinstances.

In constructions for the types of back known as roll back, channel backand tuft back, the previously free end of each spring part 23 ispreferably anchored to frame as at 31 in Fig. 4. In such embodiment, theaction of forces caused at points 24 and 25 is the same as mentioned, inthat they act to maintain the original convexity of the main springmembers 16. In said Fig. 4, the main spring 16 is of modified structure,but its principal part is the convex load-bearing component extendingfrom the anchorage 32 to point A.

In the further modified constructions illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, theV-shaped auxiliary spring unit is maintained, and the combinedresiliency of both arms thereof is utilized to react against the loadapplied to the loadbearing surface. In each of these showings, both armsof the auxiliary spring are in acute angle relation with the main springmember 16; each facing the convex surface of such main spring and extendbeyond an end thereof, where one arm is bent around and joined to theother by a suitable clip 33. The main difference between the structuresshown in Figs. 5 and 6, is that the auxiliary spring 34 extends free ofthe frame 35, while in the auxiliary spring 36, the arm 36' which is theone intermediate the main spring and the second arm 36", is anchoredintermediate its ends to frame as shown at 37.

The element connecting the arms of the auxiliary spring in Fig. 6, ispreferably provided with a V-shape whosevertex is indicated at 41. Asimilar connecting element whose vertex is indicated at 42, may beprovided as a continuation of the load-bearing arm of the auxiliaryspring and anchored to frame at 43 as shown for the seat inner springassembly in Fig. 7.

It is to be noted that it is preferred that in all embodiments shown,the load-bearing surface of the arm of the auxiliary spring whichreceives load, is convex.

In all constructions described, the main and auxiliary springs may be ofdifferent stock for varying the spring resistance and for use as shownin Figs. 5 and 6 in particular, the auxiliary springs 34 and 36 may beof much thinner stock than the main springs 16, because of the combinedaction of both auxiliary spring arms against loads applied to theload-bearing surfaces of the spring units 40 and 39.

In all preferred constructions as shown, the hard region aforementioned,should be near the vertex of the auxiliary spring and of course same isnever on the load-bearing surface of the spring units. It is alsopreferred that the arms of the auxiliary springs be integral. Theattachment of the auxiliary spring to the main spring should have noswivel movement and hence points of attachment shall be at least two.When the spring units are of zig-zag wire, such two points are spacedalong the main spring, or by a combination of attachments to the mainspring and frame support. To avoid leaning, the auxiliary spring ispositioned on the main spring whereby a portion of the back arm of theauxiliary spring, at the region Where it contacts the main spring, shallmake an O-forrn or a plurality of O-forms with a portion of the mainspring, as is seen in Fig. 1.

In order to facilitate definition in the appended claims, that arm ofthe V-shape which is attached to the main spring shall be called theback arm of the auxiliary spring, While the other shall be designatedthe front arm. Such designations in nomenclature shall apply whether inback or seat components of articles of upholstered furniture.

This invention is capable of numerous forms and various applicationswithout departing from the essential features herein disclosed. It istherefore intended and desired that the embodiments shown herein bedeemed illustrative and not restrictive and that the patent shall coverall patentable novelty herein set forth; reference being had to thefollowing claims rather than to the specific description herein toindicate the scope of this invention.

We claim:

1. In upholstery construction, a frame, a main zigzag spring attached toa pair of opposite members of the frame; said main spring presenting aconvex loadbearing surface, an auxiliary zig-zag spring comprising afront arm and a back arm in acute angle relation; the back arm beingsecurely fixed on the main spring and lying therealong whereby saidfront arm faces the convex surface of the main spring; the auxiliaryspring being positioned on the main spring whereby a portion of the backarm at the region where it contacts the main spring, forms an O-formwith a portion of the main spring; the back arm of the auxiliary springbeing fixed to the main spring intermediate the ends of said mainspring; at least that portion of the back arm which is away from theconnection to the main spring, facing the convex surface of said mainspring and being in acute angle relation with such main spring and anelement connecting bot-h arms of the auxiliary spring at a substantialdistance away from the vertex of the angle between the arms of theauxiliary spring.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the front arm presents aconvex load-bearing surface.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the arms of theauxiliary spring extend from the connection of both springs, to beyondthe main spring.

4. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the element connectingboth arms of the auxiliary spring includes a'resilient part which issubstantially V-shaped.

5. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the arms of theauxiliary spring extend from the connection of both springs, to beyondthe main spring and wherein the back arm of the auxiliary spring issecured to the frame at a point thereof which is intermediate the vertexmade by the arms of the auxiliary spring and the juncture of saidelement with the back arm of the auxiliary spring.

6. In upholstery construction, a frame, a main spring attached to a pairof opposite members of the frame; said main spring presenting a convexload-bearing surface and an auxiliary spring comprising a front arm anda back arm in acute angle relation; the back arm being fixed to the mainspring intermediate the ends of said main spring and lying along saidmain spring whereby the front arm faces the convex surface of the mainspring; at least that portion of the back arm which is away from theconnection to the main spring, facing the convex surface of the mainspring and being in acute angle relation with such main spring and anelement connecting both arms of the auxiliary spring at a substantialdistance away from the vertex of the angle between the arms of theauxiliary spring.

7. The structure as defined in claim 6, wherein the front arm presents aconvex load-bearing surface.

8. The structure as defined in claim 6, wherein the arms of theauxiliary spring extend from the connection of both springs, to beyondthe main spring.

9. The structure as defined in claim 6, wherein the element connectingboth arms of the auxiliary spring includes a resilient part which issubstantially V-shaped.

10. The structure as defined in claim 6, wherein the arms of theauxiliary spring extend from the connection of both springs, to beyondthe main spring and wherein the back arm of the auxiliary spring issecured to the frame at a point thereof which is intermediate the vertexmade by the arms of the auxiliary spring and the juncture of saidelement with the back arm of the auxiliary spring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

